Houston Rockets

Rockets’ Ryan Anderson engaged three years after reality star girlfriend's tragic death

Published Feb. 22, 2017 8:20 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

Houston Rockets sharpshooter Ryan Anderson has found success on the court and now happiness off it. The 28-year-old power forward proposed to his girlfriend Kari Klinkenborg over the All-Star break during a surprise trip to Mexico.

For any NBA player, this would be a joyous occasion, but it must be an especially emotional time for Anderson. In 2013, he tragically lost his then-girlfriend Gia Allemand, a contestant on the “Bachelor,” to suicide following a battle with depression.

Anderson became an advocate for suicide prevention shortly after Allemand’s death.

“I’ve been given a platform in the NBA,” Anderson told Sports Illustrated in 2014. “I know when I’m done playing, people aren’t going to really care about me, the way I shot three-pointers. But during this time when I have a voice, I think it’s really important for me to talk about it. People need to put a face to [suicide prevention and survival], and I’m O.K. being that face. I’m not overjoyed that I have to talk about the most painful experience of my life, but either I become that face or I tuck [myself] away in a corner and I let this rule over me.”

Anderson’s journey hasn’t been easy, but he’s found happiness again.

“I’m real excited about it. I got a great girl so I’m happy,” Anderson said, via the Houston Chronicle.

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